Emergency numbers in Switzerland

What number do you call in an emergency in Switzerland? Here’s a guide to emergency numbers and helplines in Switzerland, plus useful numbers for advice, lost property and general enquiries.

Unlike in other countries, Switzerland has different emergency numbers for each emergency service – such as ambulance, fire and police – rather than a single emergency number to contact all emergency services at once. The pan-European emergency number 112, however, can be called for any type of emergency, after which an operator will direct you to the appropriate local Swiss emergency service.

Dialling codes for Switzerland

The country dialling code for Switzerland is 0041 if calling from abroad; you remove the first zero of the local Swiss number first.

If calling a 0900 or 0901 additional call charges typically apply, while 0800 are toll-free. When dialling a business number, the same fee applies nationwide for numbers beginning in 0842, 0844 or 0848, while regional call charges apply to business numbers starting with 058. Cellular phone numbers typically start with 076, 078 and 079.

When making a general emergency call from abroad, you can use the following dialling code: 0041 848 800 xxx (eg. 1811 or 140). You can also find any address or phone number online at www.local.ch.

Swiss app ECHO 112–First Responder can also be used in emergencies to locate the nearest medically trained volunteer who can administer first aid.

Pan-European emergency number: 112

The general emergency number for any situation in Switzerland, and across Europe, is 112. The operator will typically speak a number of languages.

For non-urgent treatment, you should call your doctor; if out-of-hours, an answering machine will detail the closest on-call clinic. You can also visit Accident and Emergency (A&E) (Notfalldienst/Urgences) at any hospital. In French-speaking Switzerland special emergency clinics handle minor casualties (Pikett-Dienst/Permanence). Even in emergencies you may have to show proof of health insurance before treatment, so be sure to bring identification and your health card.

Emergency pharmacy and first aid:Each canton also has an emergency pharmacy, with contact information here. You can also find your local first aid centre here by entering your postcode at the bottom of the page.

Online diaster alert service: Alertswiss provides information on floods, nuclear accidents and earthquakes in French, German and Italian. A ‘terror app’ is also planned for 2017–2018.

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